SKOPE NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 24, 2015

Today, London rockers, Wolf Alice, reveal the music video for “Freazy”, the latest UK single off of their debut album My Love Is Cool. The band worked with up and coming directors, Youth Hymns, to create a mind-bending video, in which the foursome explores the secrets of a psychedelic forest in a vibrantly colored surreal world. The trippy video compliments the single perfectly, as lead singer Ellie Rowsell’s vocals float effortlessly atop of a shuffling and hazy groove.

“HARD DAYS” VIDEO

Austin Plaine’s “Hard Days” is a Nebraska-era Springsteen-like song that makes a poignant statement of what it’s like living in today’s tough world. The newly released video, with images of a man begging on the street, a mother struggling to pay grocery bills, a soldier fighting and dying in the desert, all the while a president stays sheltered in his room, underpins these themes with images of the new American struggle. It’s no surprise that the Minnesota singer-songwriter’s cites legends Bob Dylan and Conner Oberst as influences in his writing. Plaine vividly remembers writing the lyrics, “I was livin’ I was dyin’ to make somethin’ out of nothing”, while still at college in his dorm room thinking about the everyday challenges people have.

The legendary Belgian label is the perfect home for his dancefloor deconstructions, with the project’s experimental, off kilter take on house & techno a natural fit for R&S Records’ boundary-shifting heritage. A former member of revered Kompakt duo WALLS, Primitive World draws from Willis’s time as part of influential London duo Allez Allez, whose DJ sets and podcast frequently drew from dance music’s punk and industrial fringes.

Still on the heels of their successful second album Wild Nights, Manchester five-piece PINS have announced the release of a free download single ‘Got It Bad’, which is available now on the Bella Union Soundcloud Page. Additionally, they have debuted the video for the track via Wonderland. With this video, PINS stick to their strengths, invoking feelings of a hazy summer night complete with sparklers, cigarettes and a youthful sense of adventure. It was shot in the Northern Quarter and Ancoats districts of the band’s hometown by Sarah Jenny Johnson. “The song is wonderfully melancholic but its also, essentially, a love song so I wanted this to reflect in the way it was shot,” says the director. “Dipping in and out of focus constantly, blurry lights, handheld camera – almost “drunk” in a way. Drunk in love.”

A narrative of an imagined alien colony existing between the fabric of known / unknown worlds, Thug Entrancer’s Arcology explores high tech / low life society, mechanical structures, and data-driven humanity in an evocative techno framework.

Though Arcology was conceived in a similar improvisational womb as Ryan McRyhew’s debut, the new album moves subtly from free-form footworkouts of Death After Life with an expanded palette vibrating brightly with melodic deployment.

THE 70th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS®

The American Theatre Wing’s 70th Annual Tony Awards will return to the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, June 12, 2016. The Tony Awards will air on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, June 12, 2016 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT). The Tony Awards, which honors theater professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway, was broadcast live from the Beacon Theatre in 2011 and 2012. The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

“The Beacon Theatre has been home to two unforgettable Tony Award telecasts, and our team knows exactly how to put on a great show there. We are delighted to bring the Tony Awards back to The Beacon for our 70th Anniversary on June 12th,” said Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing, and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League.

“Everyone Eats” is the 3rd single and video from ALERT312’s latest full length, The Upside Eternal. Video Shot, Directed and Edited by Scouts Honor. You can download ALERT312’s, The Upside Eternal for FREE at hifinative.com or purchase it at all digital outlets.

Watch: Alert312 “Everyone Eats” (music video)

DROPKICK MURPHYS 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Dropkick Murphys have announced dates for their 20 Year Anniversary Tour, which kicks off February 18 at House Of Blues in Cleveland and wraps with the band’s traditional hometown run of Boston shows St. Patrick’s Day week (March 17-20, 2016). The trek also includes performances at many of America’s most historic venues, including Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom, the Civic Theatre in New Orleans, and two nights at New York City’s Webster Hall.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to do this band for twenty years,” says Dropkick Murphys’ bassist/vocalist Ken Casey. “Considering the band started on a bet, I’m pretty damn proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. After twenty years, we are more grateful and enthusiastic than ever…The best is yet to come!”

Formed of a composite musical arc that encompasses a svelte and spacious groove, a soaring disco-tinged chorus and an emotive outro of orchestral strings, the latest release from Amber Leaves showcases lead singer Chesney Jefferson on characteristically rich vocal form as he delivers his heartfelt words of consolation and hope. The adroit musicianship of ‘Wouldn’t Wanna Be Alone’ – melding gritty disco-pop with delightful jazzy flair – keeps the listener on their toes right through to the song’s powerful climax, and is further evidence of this emerging London quintet’s unique approach and delivery. Released on all digital formats on Friday 18 December, ‘Wouldn’t Wanna Be Alone’, like Amber Leaves’ previous two singles, was expertly mastered by Grammy award-winner Mandy Parnell (Bjork, Aphex Twin).

SUPERSTAR TREY SONGZ SET TO PERFORM AT FORTHCOMING 89TH MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

Entertainment superstar Trey Songz will be performing on a float at this year’s 89th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. America’s biggest holiday tradition will once again kick off the season as it returns to march down the streets of New York City on Thursday, November 26th. As millions celebrate this day of Thanksgiving with family and friends, more than 8,000 participants including clowns, balloon handlers, and marching bands will travel through Manhattan to the sound of this iconic catchphrase Let’s Have a Parade™. With more than 3.5 million spectators and more than 50 million television viewers nationwide, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the nation’s most celebrated and anticipated holiday treat.

SET TO STUN is excited to premiere the full album stream of their highly anticipated debut album “SET TO STUN and The Desperado Undead” via Revolver. The first three singles have been so well received that their ravenous fans want more, “The new music definitely does not disappoint. Been waiting a few years for new releases and you all are killing it” a fan expressed on the band’s social media. The album will be released on November 27th.

Letters from the Labyrinth (Lava Records/Republic Records)—the new album from the critically acclaimed, multi-platinum, progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra— debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Album chart this week and No. 6 on the Billboard Top Albums. The album also charted at No. 7 on Billboard Top 200 chart. Letters from the Labyrinth, TSO’s first full-length album since 2009’s Night Castle, is a bold, conceptually provocative album. Radio stations across the world are currently playing the album’s debut single “Forget About The Blame (Moon Version)” featuring vocals by Halestorm’s Lizzy Hale.

Returning from playing shows across the country, Castlecomer are excited to be back in Sydney and releasing new single “Escapism” as well as announcing the release of a very special Double A-side 7” of new single “Escapism” along with previous single “Fire Alarm” (Available 19th December).

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED DIANA ROSS ALBUM

After 37 years, Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz is getting its release digitally on November 27 through Motown/ Universal Music Enterprises in time for a revival of the original stage musical, airing live in primetime on NBC, December 3, features chart-topping music superstars Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Ne Yo and Common, Orange Is The New Black’s Uzo Aduba, Glee’s Amber Riley, and newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy.

“I’m back at it – Juugman voice,” Young Thug chirped on his 2014 hit single “Stoner,” in reference to Atlanta rap vet Yung Ralph‘s Juugin’ Round the City single “Back At It.” After joining Young Thug on Rich Gang‘s “Ridin” and Slime Season stand-out “Rarri,” Yung Ralph aka Juugman again teams up with Thugger for a single of his own, “Bands.” Produced by London On Da Track, “Bands” debuted on Noisey Radio on Beats1 / Apple Music last night, and the stream of the song premiered today on Noisey. “Thugger and Ralph are back together for a wildly fun song off Ralph’s upcoming tape,” noted Noisey, also acknowledging previous collaborations with Gucci Mane, Zaytoven, and Young Scooter, adding that “Ralph has been floating around the Atlanta music scene for a while.”

On the heels of their debut album Blood For Mercy that dropped last Friday via Diplo’s Mad Decent, Yellow Claw releases their new video for “In My Room” with DJ Mustard featuring Ty Dolla $ign & Tyga. Directed by Jim Taihuttu of Yellow Claw, the visual is a party of epic proportions in Los Angeles with all artists in attendance having a blast, as premiered at Hot New Hip Hop.

‘Never Let Me Go’ is a finely produced, high-octane and melodic ride that shows off the producer’s creative drive for forward thinking production, whilst retaining a commercial viability that makes this opener a perfect cross-market single that will work both in the main room and on the radio. The instrumental is strong, punch and euphoric and is perfectly complimented by Jaren’s distinctive vocal flavours. From the vast stadium leads, to the full-fat electrified bass tones – the production hits on the senses with venom and more deserves its spot in the record bags of the long line of DJs giving this anthem pre-release support around the world.

BETS is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Betsy Hershey, who self-released the debut album Days Hours Nights this Fall, and has been praised by Entertainment Weekly, Noisey, Paste, NYLON and many others. She lives on both coasts, while her bandmates reside in Brooklyn when they’re not living out their musical dreams on the road. Days Hours Nights was recorded in Eagle Rock at the Ship Studio, and was produced by Aaron Espinosa of Earlimart.

Minneapolis, MN — Davina and The Vagabonds has announced the band’s itinerary for January and February, 2016. Following dates in the U.S., they will travel to Cabo San Jose, Mexico late-February. Alongside heavy domestic activity, plans are taking shape for multiple excursion to Europe alongside other territories next year. Initial confirmed appearances follow below.

Over the past few years, the band has created a stir across the globe. Their shows are filled with New Orleans charm, Memphis soul swagger, dark theatrical moments that evoke Kurt Weill, and tender gospel passages. Singer/pianist Davina Sowers’ presence is indelible, while her voice defies simple categorization. Evoking comparisons as diverse as Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday and Betty Boop, she is simply a true original, presenting a personal vision that celebrates a century of American music.

After a successful export of bands like Arcade Fire and Half Moon Run, Canada yet again distributes their latest musical pride to the world in the form of Rah Rah. Rah Rah quickly became the masters of slacker-power-pop by being voted Canada’s Best Alternative Band, as well as having their previous album put forward for the 2013 Polaris Prize. Now the band are finally ready to release their much anticipated new ‘Vessels’ LP with the hope it will outshine its predecessor.

“UNTIL YOU WERE GONE” VIDEO

DJ/production duo Tritonal have officially premiered their new video with The Chainsmokers for their single “Until You Were Gone,” out now on Columbia. With over six million plays on Spotify, the video follows Chad and David as they hilariously compete with fellow DJ/producers Drew and Alex from The Chainsmokers for the affection of SoulCycle instructor Karyn Nesbit.

ELEPHANT 12 NEW VIDEO

The MuseBox today released the video for “GreenLight Go!,” the infectiously danceable new single from highly acclaimed indie rockers Elephant 12. Featuring unapologetic punk rock laced with magnetic punchy bass lines, Toronto’s Elephant 12 are known for their exhilarating live performance and sing-along anthems. As a testament to their broad appeal, Elephant 12 shared the Umbria Festival mainstage with James, Kaiser Chiefs, and Basement Jaxx. Their long awaited self-titled EP was acclaimed by online magazines such as Fred Perry Subculture, Who’s Jack, and BBC Introducing. Elephant 12’s riveting videos have earned features on Blank TV, AfroPunk, and Funk Gumbo Radio. Their new EP Hellophantasic will be released on 12/4.

LILI N’s music is a mixture of different worlds; one world is the cinematic, picturesque and familiar world growing up in Rome, where she worked as a voice-over actor from an early age. The other is the complex, independent, and ever-changing world of music encompassed in her American experience. In both worlds, she wants to create a message of her own, a message of a world without boundaries – and with her debut singles, LILI N is poised to do just that.

“MEXICO”

The Tall Pines have just released a brand new video for their song, “Mexico” from their newly released EP Fear is the Devil. For Folk’s Sake says, “Fans of alt-country will find plenty to love, most obviously with the moody ‘Mexico’”

The Tall Pines are a shack-shakin’, foot–stompin’, sometimes folk-rock band fronted by singer Connie Lynn Petruk, playing drums on her alligator-skin suitcase and shaking her tambourine, and her guitar-slinging partner Christmas Davis, who writes the songs and howls along.

The Salt Riot is a passion trio that comes on strong and as big as stadium rock, that is somehow as intimate as a favorite LP from your childhood heroes. Pre-release single “BOOM” has already gotten lots of YouTube love as the band has been playing oodles of shows (including benefits for Bernie Sanders and other righteous causes) in the Emerald City and elsewhere.

There’s something great about a three-piece—think The Cocteau Twins, The Clean, Galaxie 500—and the way that irreducible nucleus takes its strength from its limitations, making a virtue of its purity. And so it is with London trio Flowers, returning with their second album Everybody’s Dying To Meet You in February 2016 via Fortuna Pop! (EU) and Kanine (US). Over the course of ten intensely thrilling pop songs, singer Rachel Kenedy’s ethereal vocals and Sam Ayres textured guitar is backed by the powerful, metronomic beat of drummer Jordan Hockley.

Hot Tip!!

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